Micromax yesterday launched Canvas Xpress 2 for Rs 5,999, thus placing it directly against Xiaomi Redmi 2. The Micromax Canavs Xpress 2 will be available via flash sales from August 4. But is it really so attractive for one to lose sleep instead of buying Redmi 2 which is available in open sales these days?
Read on to find out our view.
Design
As I said in its hands on, the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 is a beautiful smartphone. The black model which we got has a golden colour side panel. Even the logo, pasted on the back, is in golden colour. The circular rear camera panel also has a golden colour thread around it, that glitters under light. Overall, Micromax’s decision to keep it in black and golden colour was spot on.
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 too has a plastic body as the Xpress 2 and has got matte finish body. It looks a bit less rich and thicker than the Micromax handset. In terms of looks only, our vote will go for Micromax Xpress 2 for sure.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 has a 4.7 inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and has Corning Gorilla Glass 2. While the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 has a 5 inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 and has Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
So in terms of size and due to the tougher display, the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 looks like the winner of this round but one should remember the Redmi 2 has better pixel per density.
Processor & Memory
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 has a 1.4 GHz Mediatek octa-core processor, which runs with 1 GB of RAM. The internal storage stands at 8 GB and it offers expandable storage slot as well. Moreover, it accept external storage devices (USB OTG functionality).
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 has a quad-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 Processor which runs with 1 GB of RAM. The internal storage stands at 8 GB. The memory can be expanded by up to 32 GB.
Software
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 runs on Android KitKat, but has the latest MIUI 6.0, and it is likely to get the Android Lollipop upgrade at some point. MiUI is a user feedback centric UI, making it one of the most responsive and easy to use UIs available in the market.
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 runs on Android KitKat too, but it has no customised interface, which may appeal to many.
Battery
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 has a 2500 mAh battery, while the Xiaomi Redmi 2 has a 2200 mAh battery.
While Xiaomi hasn’t told us how long the phone will last, Micromax claims that the Canvas Xpress 2 can last for 9.5 hours of Talk time or 393 hours of standby. Thus, the winner of this round, by default is the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 has an 8 Megapixel primary camera; with auto-focus, geo-tagging, smile detection, flash, HDR, and video recording at 1080p at 30 fps. The front has a 2 megapixel camera that can record videos at 720p.
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 has a 13 megapixel primary camera with autofocus, and PurCel technology (while other details of the camera remain unavailable). The front of the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 has a 2 megapixel OmniPixel sensor for selfies and video calls.
Spec for spec, the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 is the superior camera, but we will reserve final judgement till a real world camera test.
Connectivity
This is where Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 looks really pale against Redmi 2. The Xpress 2 has dual-SIM, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi.
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 is a Dual-SIM phone with 4G, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, WiFi, and WiFi hotspot.
The Redmi 2 is the winner, thanks to its 4G capabilities.
Wrapping up
As compared to Redmi 2, the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 looks good in terms of display, processing power, battery, and to some extent camera. It would have been a clear winner but for the lack of 4G. But don’t take it as our vote for the Xpress 2. We will soon come out with a detailed review of Xpress 2 so keep checking The Mobile Indian.